11 February 2012

Sermon: Epiphany 6 (Epistle)

Summary: The idea of table fellowship is one of mankind’s most ancient customs. Although differing in specifics, a remarkably wide array of people agree that special relationships are forged and fostered when those of differing viewpoints join in a common meal.

This is even more pronounced when Christians join to eat our Lord’s body and blood. No meal does more to strengthen the fellowship between God and man and among all communicants. Because of this, conscientious and informed believers take care to choose carefully at which altar they will join and likewise will not lightly invite those whose confession of the Faith differs strongly from their own.

Likewise, we take care to not join ourselves to false gods — which are masks for the demons — by inadvisedly entering fellowship with them, whether by eating and drinking, through our words, or in any other manner.

Text:What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience — I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.